With all these people you've met with and talked with, I think there's a really good book out there about what you've learned and how we can better our lives.
Wow. Great piece. One thing I love about this: we are often sold the lie that we need to find our joy (or purpose or fulfilment) in our work. And of course... if you can do that, great! But it is also a really privileged way to think about work. 99% of the world is just working to put a roof over their head and survive. And sure, the act of work in itself can be very fulfilling. But we are often looking at our jobs to fill deeper needs that it are very rare for a job or career to fill.
I love that this piece shows how joy doesn’t NEED to be found in your career. It can be found in far more accessible places than that! Including in a whistle!
Love it, Chris. Keep charging. And may you continue to find your joy.
My most ambitious movie project is called "50 Movies 50 States." I'm trying to see a movie at a movie theatre in every state in the country. I'm up to 34 (I recently visited South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa), and it's been a really fun way to explore America. I've gasped at the beauty of St. George, Utah, explored Kurt Cobain's roots in Aberdeen, Washington and eaten at Joe's BBQ in Kansas City, all while seeing some really fun movies along the way.
It combines my love of movies and my love of planning things and I've had a great time doing it.
A less ambitious project is called "Catching Up on the Classics," where I'm trying to see every movie from certain actors/directors and Oscar winners like Picture, Actor, Actress, Screenplay, etc. Today, I watched "The Barefoot Contessa," which won Best Supporting Actor.
I remember working in a small insurance office. In the reception area there was a sign that read "All bring joy to this office...some when they enter and some when they leave". That always cracked me up. I'm Italian so my joy is cooking and baking for loved friends and family. It brings joy to me and to those who receive.
I once accepted a job without knowing how much money I would make, nor did I ask. What I wanted was to make a difference. After that job came to its logical end, I knew I had made a difference, and also saw that many little things add-up to big things on occasion. It was then that pledged to myself that I would always try to “pay it forward”. So over the ensuing years, I’ve made it a priority for that signal that I may be able to help someone. Be it time or money or kindness, these things give me great satisfaction and inner peace. The best allegory is the parable of the starfish, which has been attributed to Loren Eiseley, The short version is that an old man comes upon a girl walking along the beach, picking up starfish and throwing them back into the ocean. He looked down the beach at the thousands of stranded starfish, and said to the girl “you can never make a difference when there is so many of them”. She looked at the man picked up another starfish, threw it back in the ocean and said “it made a difference to that one“ it’s that universe of little things that will light a path, as it surely did for me.
I’d be curious to read how you connect joy and politics - how does it bring you joy? I understand being interested in politics and caring about policy and outcomes, etc., but to find joy in it I can’t quite wrap my head around. I find politics, especially politics of the past decade or so, so very frustrating, demeaning and not nearly as idealistic as one might hope. I understand finding joy in writing, but politics? In the words of the great Rid Tidwell, “show me the [joy]!”
Love this! I believe every one has someway to share joy. I make cards and leave them around my community. Inside, I write uplifting messages and remind them to be kind and laugh often. I sign off saying, I care about you. I never know who picks them up, but I like to think they make them smile 😊
Really cool! And you DO make a difference!
With all these people you've met with and talked with, I think there's a really good book out there about what you've learned and how we can better our lives.
I was just thinking the same thing!!
Me too!
Wow. Great piece. One thing I love about this: we are often sold the lie that we need to find our joy (or purpose or fulfilment) in our work. And of course... if you can do that, great! But it is also a really privileged way to think about work. 99% of the world is just working to put a roof over their head and survive. And sure, the act of work in itself can be very fulfilling. But we are often looking at our jobs to fill deeper needs that it are very rare for a job or career to fill.
I love that this piece shows how joy doesn’t NEED to be found in your career. It can be found in far more accessible places than that! Including in a whistle!
Love it, Chris. Keep charging. And may you continue to find your joy.
As for what brings me joy?
I am a prolific movie watcher.
My most ambitious movie project is called "50 Movies 50 States." I'm trying to see a movie at a movie theatre in every state in the country. I'm up to 34 (I recently visited South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa), and it's been a really fun way to explore America. I've gasped at the beauty of St. George, Utah, explored Kurt Cobain's roots in Aberdeen, Washington and eaten at Joe's BBQ in Kansas City, all while seeing some really fun movies along the way.
It combines my love of movies and my love of planning things and I've had a great time doing it.
A less ambitious project is called "Catching Up on the Classics," where I'm trying to see every movie from certain actors/directors and Oscar winners like Picture, Actor, Actress, Screenplay, etc. Today, I watched "The Barefoot Contessa," which won Best Supporting Actor.
I remember working in a small insurance office. In the reception area there was a sign that read "All bring joy to this office...some when they enter and some when they leave". That always cracked me up. I'm Italian so my joy is cooking and baking for loved friends and family. It brings joy to me and to those who receive.
I once accepted a job without knowing how much money I would make, nor did I ask. What I wanted was to make a difference. After that job came to its logical end, I knew I had made a difference, and also saw that many little things add-up to big things on occasion. It was then that pledged to myself that I would always try to “pay it forward”. So over the ensuing years, I’ve made it a priority for that signal that I may be able to help someone. Be it time or money or kindness, these things give me great satisfaction and inner peace. The best allegory is the parable of the starfish, which has been attributed to Loren Eiseley, The short version is that an old man comes upon a girl walking along the beach, picking up starfish and throwing them back into the ocean. He looked down the beach at the thousands of stranded starfish, and said to the girl “you can never make a difference when there is so many of them”. She looked at the man picked up another starfish, threw it back in the ocean and said “it made a difference to that one“ it’s that universe of little things that will light a path, as it surely did for me.
Beautiful post! Thank you!🤩
Loved this perspective. Thanks for sharing
I keep chickens in my back yard and give the eggs to my neighbors. And it brings me so much joy and they really like getting fresh eggs!! :)
Thank you for your caring and generosity!
Love this, Chris. Thank you!
This made me smile 😊 Thank you!
awesome - thanks for sharing this -made my day
A great message for everyone!! Thank You!!
Loved this!
I’d be curious to read how you connect joy and politics - how does it bring you joy? I understand being interested in politics and caring about policy and outcomes, etc., but to find joy in it I can’t quite wrap my head around. I find politics, especially politics of the past decade or so, so very frustrating, demeaning and not nearly as idealistic as one might hope. I understand finding joy in writing, but politics? In the words of the great Rid Tidwell, “show me the [joy]!”
Love this! I believe every one has someway to share joy. I make cards and leave them around my community. Inside, I write uplifting messages and remind them to be kind and laugh often. I sign off saying, I care about you. I never know who picks them up, but I like to think they make them smile 😊
Your community is blessed to have you❣️
GREAT piece and such a positive perspective...